German Economic Growth Fails to Gain Impetus

Economists Predict Stronger Year Ahead After Slow First Quarter

By

Nina Adam

Updated Jan. 15, 2014 1:53 p.m. ET

FRANKFURT—Germany's economy grew only slowly in the fourth quarter of 2013, according to a first estimate by the country's statistics office, but economists predict stronger growth this year as the country's export outlook brightens.

Germany's gross domestic product—a measure of goods and services produced across the economy—expanded 0.4% in 2013, following growth of 0.7% in 2012, the Federal Statistics Office said on Wednesday.